"How did you find your style? "- My artistic journey so far
Author: Aleksandra Dziadzio
Editor: Małgorzata Cygan
It’s been a while since I started sharing my work on social media. To be honest, I don’t even remember the exact date or year when I uploaded my first painting. Over the years, my feed has evolved - just like my painting style. I’ve gone through many “phases,” becoming fascinated by different subjects, techniques, and works by other artists.
Why am I even writing this? Because over the years, I’ve been asked many times: “How did you find your style?” I wasn’t sure if I was the right person to give advice or even write about this topic, but I hope that through this text, journal, or blog - whatever this is - I can help other young artists who - just like me, have felt lost - find their artistic voice.
IT'S A LOOOOOONG PROCESS…
Trust me, I know it sounds frustrating - I felt the same when I heard those words myself, but this couldn't be further from the truth. It took me a few years before others started recognizing my work. Eventually, I realized that it wasn’t that important. What’s more valuable is being able to showcase your work with confidence and use art as a form of self-expression. It's not possible without getting to know yourself- your goals, your values, your motivation, your aesthetic, and your voice. And that... comes with time.
But can we make it faster? Well... you definitely can’t do it overnight. However, there are some practices that can help you discover it more quickly. I may not know all of them, but I hope you’ll find some useful insights from my journey so far.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
In school, we were given an extra assignment:to create a painting in the impressionistic style. Wanting that extra grade, I didn’t hesitate and made two.
I painted them in my aunt’s office, using only white acrylic paint mixed with watercolors. Sounds like a disaster, right? Trust me, I know. But somehow... It worked! (To be fair, I had just gotten a new set of Winsor & Newton watercolors, so the pigmentation was amazing - not sponsored, haha).
I had so much fun that I wanted to keep going. So I bought some acrylic paints and started making copies of pictures I found on Pinterest (our totally favourite source of references haha).
And just like that, my learning journey began - by copying other artists and photo references. No fundamentals, no structured lessons. Was that a good choice? Well… yes and no.
Yes, because I was young and didn’t want to overwhelm myself with studying. Painting is supposed to be fun, right? However, avoiding improvement of my technique (a.k.a. fundamentals) wasn’t the best long-term strategy - especially for a perfectionist and realism lover like me.
Here are some of my first works:
(acrylic paint on painting pannels 13x18cm)
Noticed something? No portraits! That’s because I started with landscapes and animals, mostly following my family’s advice (or requests). Over time, though, I realized I was painting subjects that didn’t truly excite me.
I wanted to try portraiture. Oh boy, was that a reality check... Turns out, painting a human face is way harder than just drawing one. My first attempt? Let’s just say it was so bad that my dad actually used it to scare my younger cousins. No joke—it’s still hidden away in our attic like some cursed artifact.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo of that masterpiece (probably for the best), but I do have my first self-portrait... which wasn’t much better, haha.
Why am I even bringing up drawing? Because around this time, I was obsessed with sketching sculptures. Like, full-on, hyperfixation mode. So here’s a fun comparison - painted self-portrait vs sculpture sketch.
As you can see, I was pretty good with pencils, but painting? Not so much. That didn’t stop me from pursuing both, though. I kept painting landscapes, animals, and occasionally portraits. But I was still painting blindly from reference, without truly understanding shadows, proportions or anatomy. And yeah… that definitely slowed down my technical progress.
DETAILS, DETAILS, MORE DETAILS!
Let's move to summer that changed things a bit. I bought myself a mini easel with a tiny 8x8 cm canvas - because, honestly, I thought it was cute af. I was staying at my aunt’s place and didn’t have many brushes with me, especially the one I needed most: a small detail brush. So what did I do? I grabbed a skewer and used that to paint the details. And somehow, it worked! That’s how I created my first mini canvas painting - featuring the view of Ponte Sant’Angelo in Rome.
(some of my mini canvas paintings, the smallest one: 4x6cm)
And just like that, my journey with mini canvas paintings began. It was perfect for me. I could obsess over tiny details, which eventually helped me refine my technique on larger pieces.
But… I might have taken it a little too far.
I became obsessed with hyperrealist painters and wanted to achieve that same insane level of detail. The problem? I focused so much on the details that I completely ignored the fundamentals. Instead of learning proper structure, light, and form, I was just trying to make everything look polished. And let’s be real - without a solid foundation, all the details in the world won’t save a painting.
THE NIGHTMARE… THAT ACTUALLY HELPED ME?
During high school, I took architectural drawing classes. At first, I was excited - I was even considering architecture as my major. But oh, how quickly that excitement faded…
What started as an interesting challenge soon became one of my most hated subjects. It was tough, time-consuming, and sooo boring. To make things worse, my teacher seemed to have a personal vendetta against me (seriously, she had some beef with me xD). Her constant scolding didn’t motivate me - it just made me stop caring. I only finished the assignments because I needed a grade and later an entry portfolio for my university exam.
I still remember those last six weeks before the exam - six hours daily grinding through technical drawings. Oh boy, that was brutal. Honestly, the only reason I kept showing up was to hang out with my friends, not because I was creating anything exciting. This course drained me so much that even after I got into university, I struggled to sketch for fun.
So… why am I saying it helped me?
Despite all the frustration, I did learn a lot about the technical side of drawing. Architectural drawing (at least the kind we had on the exam) was all about proportions, base structure, composition, and precise shading. We even learned how to construct shadows based on different times of the day. It was a tough experience, but it taught me the importance of consistent practice.
Would I do it again? Absolutely not! But did it make me a better artist? Yeah... probably.
(pencil on paper, 50x70cm, 35x50cm, 35x50cm)
LOCKDOWN = MORE TIME FOR PRACTICE!
I started my first year of university in 2020 - right in the middle of the global pandemic. With all my lectures and labs moved online, I was stuck at home, isolated from my friends. Not the greatest experience socially, but honestly? I loved that time.
Why? Because I had way more time to paint, duh!
I quickly fell into a daily routine that revolved around my classes and my art:
8:00 - 8:30 AM – Breakfast
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM – Painting (with lectures and labs playing in the background obviously - multitasking at its finest, haha)
2:00 - 2:30 PM – Lunch
2:30 - 4:00/5:00 PM – More painting
4:00/5:00 PM – Actual university labs I had to actively participate in
8:00 PM - 1:00/2:00 AM – Working on assignments (or, let’s be real, painting mini canvases instead)
It was an intense period of practice, and I was determined to improve my portraits. I still remember a friend telling me, “You should give up portraiture and focus on landscapes instead.”
Uh… sorry, boo, but no one asked you.
So, I kept going. I painted tons of faces - different angles, various lighting conditions, movie frames etc. I was obsessed. And honestly? That stubbornness paid off.
(Queen's Gambit, oil on wodden pannel)
(Billie, oil on wodden pannel, 40x40cm ; Alice Pagani, oil on wodden pannel, 20x30cm)
BOYS THAT SLAYED (AND BECAME MY NEWEST INSPIRATION)
There comes a moment in every ARMY’s life when they stumble upon a certain South Korean boyband called BTS. It often happens during a low point, and for me, it was no different. I had just started therapy and a new treatment for depression and anxiety, struggling to find light in my life. And then, one day, I came across one of their music videos.
Curious, I watched more performances—and I was completely captivated. Their skills, choreography, and storytelling left me in awe. I wanted to know their names, their journey, their message. And that was it—I had fallen down the rabbit hole. But instead of feeling lost, I felt seen.
As I immersed myself in their music, reading their lyrics and learning about their struggles, something changed. Their words were healing. Their journey was inspiring. For the first time in a long while, I felt understood. And for the first time ever, I felt a spark—an urge to express myself through art. I didn’t know how, but I knew I wanted to try.
My journey began with fanart. The first piece I ever created was inspired by their Black Swan MMA performance (because let’s be real, it’s iconic). That led to more artworks of the boys, focusing on capturing their breathtaking dance movements and dynamic poses. I also used their portraits as references to improve my skills—and as my love for K-pop grew, so did my collection of references!
(Black Swan MMA 2020, oil on canvas 40x60cm)
(Jungkook, oil on wooden pannel, 20x20cm; Chaeyoung, oil on wooden pannel, 20x20cm)
Through Instagram, I found an audience. I connected with fellow ARMYs, some of whom I still talk to. It was more than just art -it was a community. And then, in the midst of it all, I created one of the most important paintings of my life…
“FREE YOURSELF” AND THE ART OF STORYTELLING
Inspired by “Black Swan” and “Louder than Bombs” (the underrated gem), I created my painting named ”Free Yourself”.
One evening, I felt an overwhelming urge to capture something deeply personal - something raw and honest. I decided to merge a few key moments from Jimin’s dance: his exhausted, almost broken posture (mirroring exactly how I felt at the time) slowly transforming into him spreading his wings and soaring high - a reflection of my last, fragile bits of hope for recovery.
I remember feeling incredibly anxious about posting it. The thought of opening up about my struggles to complete strangers terrified me. Was it a bad idea? Would I regret it? Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Let me share the caption I wrote that day, along with my painting:
“Have you ever felt stuck? Or unable to do anything?
Stuck in your head, surrounded by darkness created by negative thoughts and no hope? Have you ever thought that you're wasting your potential, that you don't even know if it exists? Have you ever felt that you're wasting your talent, you're losing your time? Have you ever felt anxious thinking about your future? I'm sure a lot of you have. And I have. But every time I feel like this I remember that I have sth that I love. Something worth waking up. Something I wanna do. Every time I paint I feel like I'm getting my wings back and I can fly away. I'm still confused about it, I'm still lost in my ideas and my style. I'm still not sure what exactly I wanna do, what I wanna share, what I wanna tell by my art. But I'll get there. I hope I will. And this thought is 'my wings'.
.
And that's why I wanted to make this painting. It's nothing incredible, nothing unusual but it is special for me. (Not only because of my Black Swan obsession 😅)
.
What are your wings?”
("Free Yourself" , oil on canvas, 30x40cm)
I was supposed to talk about my art style - so why am I mentioning this?
Well… after “Free Yourself” received such an incredible response and resonated with so many people, I realized something: storytelling had to be the heart of my art. Painting a portrait alone was no longer enough. I craved more. I wanted to weave my own story into my work, to speak to others through my art in ways words never could.
Eventually, storytelling became not just a creative choice but a key part of my healing. Art became my voice, my therapy—a way to express my deeply hidden emotions.
("LOST" oil on painting pannel, 18x21cm)
“PERFECTION IS NOT ONLY ABOUT CONTROL. IT IS ALSO ABOUT LETTING GO”
As I mentioned before, my obsession with details wasn’t exactly helping my artwork. I had to learn to loosen up. To improve my blocking-in process, I started practicing alla prima portraits and experimenting with more abstract forms.
Inspired by Tahlia Stanton’s work, I decided to try mixed media painting - and OMG, the process was incredible! Letting go of neat brushwork and just going with the flow was such a joy. The piece I created back then is still one of my favorites!
(my first alla prima portrait, oil on canvas, 13x18cm)
("Scarlett Freedom", mixed media on canvas, 30x40cm)
(get yourself a print!)
Eventually, I decided it would be a great idea to create an entire series of portraits of each BTS member in an abstract realism style.
Turns out… It wasn't a great decision.
But even though the series didn’t go as planned, it taught me valuable lessons - how to loosen up my brushwork, experiment with composition and, most importantly, enjoy the process. It was a fun and meaningful exercise, and I don’t regret a single brushstroke.
(the fact that all of them are 40x60cm is killing me…. too big canvases for such “experiments”)
LITTLE ACCIDENT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
During my university years, I decided to invest in an iPad (thanks to my bestie’s advice) - an investment that turned out to be far more useful than I initially expected. Of course, the first thing I did was download Procreate. I must say, while I enjoy experimenting with digital painting, it’s my strongest suit (till this day haha).
One day, while drawing and exploring the app’s features, I accidentally switched a layer to Overlay. The effect completely blew my mind! That happy accident sparked my curiosity and I started experimenting with different options on various pictures. That’s how my painting “Dance Through Your Pain” was born.
To this day, I’m grateful for that little mistake (even though I know I would’ve discovered the feature eventually, haha). It completely changed how I compose references and tell my stories visually.
("Dance through your pain" oil on canvas, 50x50cm)
("Shadow x Daechwita" oil on canvas, 50x50cm)
("Lost in breathing" oil on painting pannel, 40x40cm)
With each new painting, I pushed myself to create more challenging compositions. Of course, I took breaks—sketching little landscapes or painting smaller portraits—but every time I worked on a larger piece, I craved something that would truly test my skills.
That drive led me to start my “Bloom: Four Seasons” series, in which I experimented with completely overlaid flowers on top of portraits. I dedicated more time and effort to these pieces, and to this day, they remain some of my favorites—especially from a technical perspective.
In the meantime, I also took part in an artists collaboration, which led to the creation of my “Black Swan Posters’ series. Inspired by both the song and Darren Aronofsky’s film “Black Swan”, I created seven artworks, blending my overlaid style into movie poster designs.
("Bloom: Four Seasons", 40x40cm each, oil on canvas)
IT’S NOT A BREAKDOWN, IT’S A MENTAL BREAKDANCE!
Like every artist, I’ve had my fair share of art block phases. The reasons varied but most often it stemmed from an unhealthy work-relax balance. I had a habit of overworking myself, pushing too hard until my mind and body finally rebelled against me.
During those periods I was heartbroken. Painting had been part of my daily routine, so suddenly losing that spark felt devastating—I was constantly on the verge of tears. "What do you mean I can’t paint now? Why don’t I feel like it? I should always feel like painting!" These were the frustrating thoughts running through my head.
Eventually, I had to figure out how to reignite my creativity. After taking a break, I needed to find that spark again. How did I do it? I’ll write more about it in another blog (if you’re interested), but the most effective way was to try something new.
One of these experiments led to a mixed-media painting sketch - one that I’m sure many of you recognize because I proudly show it off every chance I get! (I can’t help it!) The best part? I created it with no expectations, no vision set - I just went with the flow. And at that moment, I remembered why I started painting in the first place. It was pure joy.
("Jin painting sketch" mixed media on textured paper, A4)
As I mentioned before, trying something new is the best way to overcome the art block—at least in my experience. One of the simplest yet most effective changes I made was switching up the canvas shape. Just by placing my composition within a circle, I felt a sudden rush of excitement. That spark led me to instantly buy seven painting panels and plan an entire series around the idea.
In some way, my newest painting series is the direct result of both hard work and burnout. As tough as that period was, I couldn’t be prouder of what I created in the end.
("BTS solo songs" circle series, oil on painting pannel, ø 30cm)
So remember guys - DON’T GIVE UP! Sometimes the best art comes from the most unexpected places.
ENOUGH YAPPING!
So why instead of giving you the step-by-step guide to finding your own style, I shared my entire art journey? (Okay, not the whole story - I skipped over my watercolor phase, colored pencils, painting on clothes, instruments… you get the idea.)
Here’s the answer- there is no recipe.
If you want to find your style, you need to explore. Try as many mediums, techniques, subjects, stylizations, and rendering methods as you can. My artistic journey has been long and chaotic - and honestly? It still is and that's probably not going to change, But that’s what makes it exciting. I’m always open to new ideas, constantly pushing myself to improve - not just technically, but in storytelling and symbolism as well.
Right now, I’m in the process of finding balance: creating pieces that are both challenging and aesthetically powerful, while also meaningful that’s visible and impactful to others.
I hope that by sharing my style development process, I’ve helped - or maybe even inspired - you to stop limiting yourself and start exploring the vast world of art. There are endless ways to tell your story - so why not try them all?
With love,
Aleksandra
